Exhibition shows rise and fall of Glasgow's Red Road tower blocks

A SERIES of high-rise blocks that came to epitomise the failure of Sixties town planning are at the centre of a new art exhibition.

The Multi-story exhibition centres around the Red Road flats in Springburn, Glasgow, which are now earmarked for demolition.

Local artists, photographers, video makers and animators have all contributed to the exhibition, which opens at Glasow Gallery of Modern Art today.

Richie Carroll, community housing manager of Red Road Balornock Local Housing Organisation, which manages the properties in the area, said: "The Red Road flats are such a well-known landmark and have been home to many people in Glasgow over the years.

"We hope many residents past and present will take the opportunity to share their memories."

When built, the Red Road flats in Springburn were the highest in Europe – but they came to symbolise the difficulties of high-density housing.

Demolition of the 25- and 31-storey blocks, which were built to house a population of 4,700 people, will begin this spring and will be completed over the next ten years.

Culture and Sport Glasgow Project co-ordinator Martin Wright, who is managing the Red Road Cultural Project, said: "High-rise living in Red Road is coming to an end and it's important that the past and present residents have an opportunity to share their memories, experiences and views through art in a very personal way, which will contribute to the lasting story of Red Road Flats for generations to come."

The exhibition is being led by Street Level Photoworks, an innovative arts project that provides artists and members of the public with opportunities to participate in photography and lens-based media.

Street Level director Malcolm Dickson said: "This unique exhibition showcases artworks created in the last two years by local residents from over 15 countries."